Kostya Tszyu’s son Tim defends his WBO title

Tim Tszyu, representing Australia, the son of perhaps the main legend of Russian boxing Konstantin Tszyu, defended his newly acquired World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champion title in the junior middleweight (up to 69.9 kg), very confidently defeating what seemed to be an extremely dangerous opponent of the American Brian Mendoza. Now on Tszyu’s agenda is Mendoza’s much more famous compatriot Jermell Charlo, who was supposed to fight with the Australian for the title of absolute champion, but chose to meet with the famous Mexican Saul Alvarez and lost to him in the super middleweight (up to 76.2 kg).

About the outcome of this fight in the Australian Gold Coast, it would probably be more correct to say that Tim Tszyu did not defend his champion status in it, but secured it. The World Boxing Organization belt went to the son of the outstanding Russian fighter Konstantin Tszyu half a month ago without a fight. In fact, Tszyu, who at the age of 28 has earned a reputation as one of the brightest characters in professional boxing, was supposed to fight this year with the holder of titles in all four major versions – WBO, World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) – Jermell Charlo. But Charlo, who initially took a long break due to a hand injury, made an unexpected feint. Having recovered, he preferred the more financially profitable fight with the enormously popular Mexican Saul Alvarez to the fight with Tszyu. Moreover, on enemy territory – in the super middleweight division, in which Alvarez is also the absolute champion.

The WBO did not like this jump, and she announced in advance that in any case, no matter what happened with Charlo, she would give her title to someone who had been waiting for a long time for a chance, and during the waiting period, he easily dealt with quite strong opponents – Tony Harrison and Carlos Ocampo – to the official contender for him, that is, Tszyu.

Tim Tszyu did not let the structure down, giving a great performance in which he flashed all his advantages, and first of all, his functionality and punch.

Brian Mendoza seemed a much more dangerous opponent for him than Harrison and Ocampo. All experts were impressed by the American’s two previous fights. In them, he knocked out Jason Rosario and Sebastian Fundora, although, for example, Fundora is a real star. But nothing worked out for Mendoza with Tszyu.

Tim Tszyu had the advantage throughout essentially the entire fight. The only exception was his start, the first rounds, when Brian Mendoza was helped by a well-functioning jab. The Australian’s superiority became especially noticeable in the second half of the match, against the backdrop of the American’s accumulated fatigue. In the seventh round, Mendoza missed a bunch of signature blows from Tszyu – sharp, short, almost imperceptible. And the right uppercut was so powerful that the audience seemed surprised that the one who missed it was somehow able to stay on his feet.

In the tenth round, Brian Mendoza again found himself in a position that was no longer just difficult, but without any reservations critical. Pressed against the ropes, he, without much resistance, tried to survive the cannonade that fell on him. And he survived, holding out until the final gong. However, after it there was no doubt about who the arbitrators would award the win. On all three maps, Tim Tszyu prevailed with a convincing margin – 116:112, 116:111 and 117:111. And an illustration of this separation could be the face of his opponent, on which there was no living space left: Mendoza, due to the stream of blood flowing, was practically blind in both eyes.

Apparently, there is no particular intrigue in the question of how Tszyu’s career will continue after this success.

“Perhaps the thought is in his head that he can beat me. Well, let him try. Let’s determine who the real king of the division is,” these words of the Australian, uttered immediately after the fight with Mendoza, were naturally addressed to Jermell Charlo.

And he, presumably, has no choice but to accept the challenge. The fact is that the American’s voyage to super middleweight was unsuccessful. Saul Alvarez crushed him in much the same style as Brian Mendoza’s Tim Tszyu. ESPN is confident that the fight between Tszyu and Charlo, who has already announced his return to the “native” category, will definitely take place in the near future. In it, the Australian will have the opportunity to add to his still absolutely “clean” asset, without a single misfire in 24 matches, the outstanding achievement that his illustrious father had, only in a slightly lighter weight, up to 63.5 kg – the title of absolute world champion.

Alexey Dospehov